The 8 Gods of Qimen Dunjia is an external energy source that can be either favorable or unfavorable, or both favorable and unfavorable, to an asker. It can be from a source that one is aware of or unaware of. It can refer to benefactors or nemesis.
1) Leader, Zhi Fu (值符)
Square. Yellow. Associated with success, recognition, benefactors, wealth and health. Defender in war.
The term leader is not just a label to place on this God, but can also be a description of it being the leader of the 8 Gods and 9 Stars. A very auspicious god that has a foundation Earth element of the center as base. The righteous reputation of this god is so revered that those with bad intentions will retreat when the Leader appears. When ZhiFu appears in any palace, the outcome is more than likely to be a positive auspicious one. There are of course exceptions.
2) Snake, Teng She (螣蛇)
Elongated. Red. Shrewdness, cold-blooded, negative outcomes, deception.
An inauspicious god that is of the fire element associated with the south. The key attribute, as one might expect, is as slippery as a snake. Even when things seem to safe, you can never truly trust the Snake. Also linked to aspects of deceit, entanglements and things that people fear. Misfortune is always on the horizon.
3) Great, Yin Tai Yin (太阴)
White. Unhappiness, concealment, ambiguity, complication. Concealment in war.
An auspicious god with metal element of the west. It is very much associated with things that are of Yin nature such as night time, and femininity. It can also relate to things to do with care and nurturing. See it as a protector who you never see but is always there to look over you. Implying that it offers assistance without needing to request for it. Very much linked to avoiding disasters.
4) 6 Harmony, Liu He (六合)
Red. Associated with harmony, family, partnerships, comrade, negotiations.
A generally auspicious god of the wood element of the east. This is all about eliciting or maintaining harmony, resolving conflicts, love, and basically relationships. As such it is also linked to joyous events such as weddings, birthday celebrations, festivities, etc. This is also a protector type of god
5) Hook, Gou Chen (勾陈)
Green. Recklessness, accidents, barriers, violence, setbacks. Fighting at war.
Embodies metal of the west. This is a god that is generally not favorably viewed upon. It is very much related to conspiracies, secretly plotting malicious acts, betrayal, etc. Don’t be surprised if it points to people who on the wrong side of the law. If one encounters setbacks all of a sudden withou warning, the Hook was most probably involved.
6) Phoenix, Zhu Que (朱雀)
Irregular shapes. Red. Communications, expressiveness, gossips, conflicts, theft, fakery, financial loss.
Associated with water of the north. This is an unfavorable god that is vicious with words. Get ready for quarrels, and getting into trouble for saying the wrong things whether you meant it or not. Like to steal all sorts of things both tangible and non-tangible.
7) 9 Earth, Jiu Di (九地)
Circle. Black. Reactive, passiveness, calmness, virtuous, perseverance, humility. Sentry and scouting at war.
Associated with earth of the southwest. This is an auspicious god that embodies calmness and being centered. Appreciation for the simple things in life, especially with things that have life. Favors slow and steady progress rather than risky quick results. The objective is to being balance, so it can bring about positive or negative events depending on which side the scale tilts to bring balance.
8) 9 Heaven, Jiu Tian (九天)
Circle. White. Happiness, intelligence, receptive, wealth, progress, dignity, recognition.
Related to metal of the northwest. This is a favorable god that embodies old-fashion good qualities. Like hard work, righteousness, teamwork, etc. It is also highly associated to helpers, assistance, and benefactors. Favors big projects that take time to fulfill.
Among the 8 Gods of qi men dun jia, there are also 2 Gods that are “hidden”. They are the Tiger and Tortoise which replaces the Hook and Phoenix respectively when the application of QMDJ requires it.
Take note that while the 8 gods embody elements of certain directions, their positions are not fixed onto those positions. They can reside in any direction.
